Content Section

The Content section will provide news, quotes and background materials refering to the topic of the EU Constitution. The time-table will give you an overview about the current status concerning the referendums on the Constitution.

 

French Parliament tackles EU Constitution


The special joint session of members of the National Assembly and the Senate was to take up a revision of the French constitution needed before France can adopt the EU charter.

The two chambers have separately adopted the changes with large margins; opposition has been primarily on the political fringes and some holdouts among Socialists and in Chirac’s centre-right party.

President Jacques Chirac, who is growing increasingly nervous about the prospect of a no vote, will use the meeting of both houses to announce an early date for a referendum.

Polls indicate the French would vote in favour, but momentum has been rising in the no camp.

  


President Jacques Chirac, who strongly backs the EU treaty, convened the two houses for the vote, and a three-fifths majority is required. He is likely to set a date in May or June for the referendum.